by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
Mauer is batting .444 (20 for 45) with five RBI, eight walks, 10 doubles and 11 runs during his hitting streak, and Morneau is batting .339 (21 for 62) with one home run, four doubles, 10 runs and 15 RBI in his last 16 games.
"Joe had his little cold stretch we probably won't see again this year, but is back on fire. And Justin has been staying on the ball really good and putting some really nice swings on it," manager Ron Gardenhire said, per MLB.com. "We know we can score some runs and our offense is starting to click a little bit, and that's fun to watch."
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Martin was available off the bench Sunday, and manager Clint Hurdle said the team would have been able to get by had starter Michael McHenry been hurt during the game. Tony Sanchez, who was called up as the team's replacement for Martin, has been sent down, meaning Martin will probably not hit the disabled list.
Martin is hitting .263/.358/.526 in 95 at-bats this season. The Pirates will play the Brewers Monday night. If Martin isn't in the team's starting lineup, he should again be available off the bench.
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com
The right-hander hasn't pitched with the Dodgers since suffering a fractured left collarbone during a brawl against the Padres on April 11. He is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in two starts.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
"I've been working and getting my feeling back," Strop said, per MASNsports.com. "Mechanically-wise, I try to stay closed as much as I can. It's been getting me to the position where I want to be."
Strop said he has sought out advice from pitching coach Rick Adair and closer Jim Johnson.
"I've been getting help from coaches, my teammates," he said. "Jim Johnson's been helping me a lot, because he's pretty much a sinker pitcher. Sometimes, it's not that easy getting those pitches where you want them. It's all about rhythm and location."
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com
Mattingly said the move would be spearheaded by his preference to alternate between left-handed and right-handed batters at the top of the lineup. Gordon recorded his fourth steal in eight games Sunday against the Marlins.
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
"I'm trying to really stay off the down-and-away pitch," Jones said. "If I could find a way to lay off that pitch more, I'd find myself on first base a lot more often and score more runs. Trying to lay off it, but if I can't, shoot it in that hole (on the right side). Second baseman will probably be playing me up the middle more. I'm just trying to make contact."
Per FanGraphs.com, Jones is swinging at 39.6 percent of pitches outside of the strike zone, which is just above his career mark (39.5 percent) and below his rate the last two seasons (40.4 percent), so the numbers don't back up his claim just yet. But Jones insists he's making an effort to become a better hitter.
"I'm just trying to get on base anyway I can," Jones said. "Take the hits over there if they want to pitch me away. You see what Miguel Cabrera does. He takes what they give him and I'm learning that. Obviously I'm not on the same caliber as he is but my growth can be. I'm still growing as a player."
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
Joseph, who started at first base in Game 1, is expected to be demoted back to the minors after Monday's doubleheader.
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com
Gast started the year with four scoreless outings, finally giving up his first run May 3. He's actually coming off his worst start of the season. Gast gave up four runs over four innings. Gast has been striking out slightly more hitters to begin the year, but he's also walking more batters. Gast has been profiled as a soft-tosser, and may have trouble overpowering hitters in the majors.
He's not expected to be in the majors for long, so his Fantasy value might be limited.
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com
The veteran slugger finished 2 for 3 during Los Angeles' 5-3 victory over Miami on Sunday with his second single giving him 1,000 career hits. He became the third-fastest Dodger to reach the milestone behind only Pedro Guerrero and Steve Garvey, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
"It's kind of a lot, it's kind of not," Kemp said. "Some great hitters behind me have 3,000 hits. It's hard to imagine getting that many hits. I'm not worried about hitting home runs. Never have been. My main concern is getting on base, hitting with runners in scoring position."






